Fantasmic

[aec]

We plan to see Fantasmic on Friday Jan 21. We will not be using the fantasmic dinner pkg. The show starts at 7:00.

What time will the ampitheater open?

What are the best sections to sit in?

What time do we really need to be there to get good seats?

How far back do you need to be to not get wet?

I don't mind getting there early if we need to (we'll eat counter service food while we wait) but I also don't want to waste my time if we don't need to.

 

[QuickGold]

Theater can open as early as 2 hours before showtime.

Best section is front, center.

I'd say 45 minutes before but you could swing 30 mins before and get decent seats. If waits at MGM are low then you dont have to worry too much about F! being crowded.

Just dont sit in the first 5-10 rows and you'll be fine in regards to water.

 

[aec]

Thanks. That sounds great. I don't mind waiting 45 min as long as I am sitting!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

We went on Thursday (1/13) and planned to just show up around 6:40 or so. BUT at 6:05 there were tons of people headed that way (the park wasn't even crowded - just LOTS of people going that direction all of a sudden) so we went in and sat down. We were to the right as you enter the theater (in the Sebastion section) about 10 rows from the top. I couldn't believe how many more people came in after we did - it just kept filling and filling. It was very orderly. I think we might have had a better view more towards the center, but we could see fine and we enjoyed the show.

 

[jaysmom4285]

Even if MGM isn't crowded that day, it's no indication of how crowded Fantasmic will be. People come from other parks to see Fantasmic, and when there's just one show, they all come at that time. The lines at the MGM turnstiles get very long in the late PM as people arrive for Fantasmic. We were there in early December at a very low attendance time, and people were being seated in the far left sections at 6:15. Just something to keep in mind. As long as you can sit quite squarely in front of one of the water sprays so you can see the images projected on that, you'll be fine, even if you're off to one side. The action in the center is easily visible from anywhere.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

No matter how low the crowds seem I would make sure I got there 1 hour before and got my seats.( if you don't have the package) That way you should be able to get in the middle section. You can eat snacks there while you wait (hot dog, wrap, pretzels, popcorn, soda... are all sold inside).
We used this as dinner when we went in Nov.

 

[Briarprincess]

If there is more than one showing, it may not be too bad. One thing my family always does is one of the first nights we're there wait and do the rides until about 30 minutes before show time and then head over to the theater. I'm not sure when, but once a certain time comes all the seats being held for the PS people are opened and the general public can sit there. This tends to work out really well. (they aren't THE best seats, but still good).
If the theater is full the night we do this, we make plans to go back and wait. Never more than an hour though normally.

I honestly don't believe the PS is worth it because the seats aren't the BEST seats in the theater and the places to choose from for dinner are kind of limited. But that's just my opinion.

 

[Lisa AF]

We usually get food in the parks and carry it in. Eating dinner while we wait helps pass the time.

 

[Okiemom]

What places are nearby to buy the food to take in? Or do you just by the snacks inside?

 

[Lisa AF]

What places are nearby to buy the food to take in? Or do you just by the snacks inside?

There are food stands just outside the entrance and across the street. However.... My DH runs down to the ABC Commisary for me. I much prefer that to hamburgers or chicken nuggets!

 

[QuickGold]

What places are nearby to buy the food to take in? Or do you just by the snacks inside?

There is a concession stand in the theater (More info: http://www.mgmstudios.org/food/hollyhills.html) but you can also buy food nearby at Catalina Eddie's, Anaheim Produce or Rosie's All American Cafe